Looking for "Hidden Gems" — Basketball showcase headed to Big Spring

The Hidden Gems in West Texas Individual Basketball Showcase will be held at the Dorothy Garrett Coliseum beginning Friday. Entries are still being accepted for junior high and high school girls basketball players.

There are a lot of perks to growing up and attending high school in a small town.

For student-athletes, however, it can be hard to get exposure while trying to advance to the collegiate level in sports.

Luckily, area girls who play basketball will have an opportunity to be seen and evaluate by scouts Friday and Saturday at the Hidden Gems in West Texas Individual Showcase at the Dorothy Garrett Coliseum at Howard College. Recruiters from schools representing junior college, NAIA, Division II and Division III will be on hand to offer tips, advice and maybe even help get a player signed on with a college program.

Roy Green, event coordinator, decided to bring the camp back to Big Spring for a few reasons.

“So, I'm from Big Spring,” Green said. “I didn't forget where I came from. I wouldn't be where I am at if it weren't for some of the folks at Howard College and Big Spring High School. Big Spring is a great city, there are a lot of advantages to living there, but one of the disadvantages is recruiters don't always go to the smaller schools. This is an exposure event. We have three guys — Joseph Dean, Dan Olson and Randy Evans — who are some of the top recruiters coming to personally evaluate the girls. They want to help them take their career to the college level. There's not a lot of people doing that in this area.”

Green said about 30-50 would-be hoopsters are expected to participate in what he describes as a “small event”. One-on-one time is guaranteed for each athlete.

“The players need an honest evaluation of their skill set,” Green continued. “There is a ton of talented kids in smaller communities that can play. That's why it's called 'Hidden Gems'. The focus is on recruiting. What does it take to play at the next level?”

According to Green, some players have been signed immediately as a result of his showcases in the past.

“I went to a similar event called Premier Basketball,” Green said. This kid out of El Paso had flown under the radar. She was six-foot-one and she could play. She ended up signing with New Mexico State University — a Division I school. College coaches are looking size, speed, ability, academic quality — there are a lot of traits needed to play for most college teams. These events help the participants learn where they fit in and what they need to work on to play college ball.”

Green's showcase is open to girls in junior high and high school, with each age group comprising two divisions. There is a 60-player cap per division. Cost is $75 per attendee. For more information, contact Green at 512-917-0946.